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Sunday, January 23, 2011

Recently in my post Where's Your Swagger I basically talked about getting your mojo back. And for me, that's something I've been working on during the never ending better-me process.

Although it's less about clothes and more about my mind set, toward the end of 2010 I started to dress really crappy because I was feeling out of shape and basically uncomfortable with myself.In an attempt to get over my crappy self, for New Years I bought a new blouse. Also because part of the New Years superstition in my familia (one of many superstitions) is that you must wear new clothes on that day – otherwise the rest of the year will be cursed with old clothes. I know, it’s crazy, but I went with it.
Anyway, I took advantage of a 50% off sale at Ann Taylor Loft and bought a blouse, then threw together what I thought was a club-appropriate outfit to ring in the New Year (yes... I was at a NYC club at midnight. Craziness). I wore this blinged out watch Che gave me for my birthday, a pair of earrings my sister gave me for Christmas, a diamond ring from my mother, the sexy mauve colored blouse I bought (to get myself out of my all-black routine), a pair of skinny jeans that I already owned, and a new pair of boots. I did my eyes all smokey and left my hair curly.

For the first time in a long time I felt pretty and sexy.I felt good about myself and walked with that swagger I sorely missed. I had a good time because I felt good inside. Lesson: Dress the part, become the part. However, this was all in my head, because when I saw the pictures from that night, I realized that my purchase was a total work blouse. Another lesson learned - take a picture because the mirror lies! And apparently so do my eyes.
Nevertheless, what is important is that I got out of my comfort zone a bit (dressing up, clubbing on New Years, yada yada yada… ), so I'm not going to be too hard on myself. Why?
Last year, I would just roll out of bed, do the absolute minimum to look alive and spend hours at work exhausting myself. Then I'd try to fit in 100 things before a 2:00am bed time. NO GOOD.
Now that I'm trying to get back into a healthier life routine, (and practicing what I preach), I'm making an effort to feel pretty from the inside out (which includes a positive mind set and self image). And sometimes, the little tweaks that improve a routine – or shake it up entirely – make a difference.